PHYSICIANS AS THEY WERE, AND AS THEY ARE. 557 



influence is paramount, contemning the writings of the fathers of phy- 

 sic, forsooth, because the circulation was then unknown, and chemistry 

 untaught ; but more correct reasons might be assigned, in the inability 

 of vulgar minds to comprehend writings so much beyond their calibre. 

 Experiment and chemical agents are the great fulcra upon which the 

 moderns rest their superiority, regardless, in a great degree, of observa- 

 tion, the unerring guide of the ancients. By observation, we watch the 

 changes which nature effects in her efforts at cure ; by experiment, the 

 effect of medicine upon disease. Experiment can never enable us to 

 establish general truths in physiology, upon proofs, founded either on 

 individuals or species. Our reasoning must be from analogy, and he 

 who pretends to a knowledge of medicine independent of observation, 

 however successful his practice may be, is but an empiric. 



The science of medicine is one with which the public rarely busy 

 themselves. Their minds, ever occupied with the passing events of the 

 day, arid the duties of their calling, can afford but little time, even if 

 disposed, for the consideration of such an abstruse study. It is only 

 at a time when the mind is least capable of exercising its reasoning 

 faculties, when it is itself the subject of disease, that it bestows a 

 thought upon it. The natural anxiety of man under disease, will 

 prompt him to seek assistance wherever fancy tells him he shall receive 

 it most speedily. Big with the hope of a rapid cure, he applies to the 

 independent, high-minded physician, who, as he scorns to play the 

 mountebank, and prescribe limits to disease, has his place soon filled up 

 by those who are ever ready to cater to the feelings and foibles of their 

 patients. Of this latter class, painful as the admission must be, is the 

 majority of those men who now practise physic composed. For though 

 there are some men in the profession, whose independence of fortune, as 

 well as mind, places them above such buffooneries, they are like angels' 

 visits. Sydenham's advice, to read Don Quixote and dance well, seems 

 to be the text-book of the modern fashionable physician, whose acquire- 

 ments are estimated by the elegance of his equipage. It is a strange, 

 but incontrovertible fact, that whilst in worldly matters we are scrupu- 

 lously tenacious of our own judgment, yet in that which is a matter of 

 life or death to ourselves, we carelessly resign ourselves to the dictum, 

 of some fashionable dowager, whose seal of approbation is the ready 

 passport to wealth for the young medical aspirant. We are all anxious 

 to adapt our language and conduct to the habits and manners of those 

 of our circle, and we find the tinsel ornament of the profession preferred 

 to the more solid attainments, doubtless we will cultivate them. If there 

 be still, and that there is few will deny, much uncertainty in medicine, 

 the public, who it must be admitted are the sufferers, have to thank 

 themselves; for whilst talent and industry are too frequently left to 

 pine in want and indigence, the train of followers must be small, unless 

 we can change the wants and appetences of human nature, as also the 

 manners and habits of the time we live in. Medical men are generally 

 men of small fortune, often of, no fortune at all ; and what is rather 

 unfortunate for the philosophy of the profession, are possessed of all the 

 wants and passions of human nature. As few embrace the profession 

 from motives of philanthropy, the shortest road to an independent for- 

 tune will ever be the most crowded ; and as the public are better pleased 

 to be cajoled out of their money, they must also make up their minds 

 to be cajoled out of their lives, a compromise, we fear, too often made 

 for the acquirement of the former. 



